The illustrious surname Boyde is classified as a habitation surname, which was originally derived from a place-name, and is one form of surname belonging to a broader group called hereditary surnames. Habitation names were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Topographic names, form the other broad category of surnames that was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree.

Other local names are derived from the names of houses, manors, estates, regions, and entire counties. As a general rule, the greater the distance between an individual and their homeland, the larger the territory they were named after. For example, a person who only moved to another parish would be known by the name of their original village, while people who migrated to a different country were often known by the name of a region or country from which they came. Boyde is a place-name from in England from early times. But the name arrived from Brittany about the time of the Norman Conquest. As the story goes, Alan, Baron of Oswestry arrived from Dol in Brittany with his three sons, William, Walter, and Simon. Walter, Simon and Simon's son Robert Buidhe moved north to Scotland. It is thought that the as the son's hair was blond his name was so coined. In fact, the Gaelic word buidhe, means yellow.

Boyde Early Origins

The surname Boyde was first found in Shropshire where Alan, Baron of Oswestry ( c. 1078- c. 1114) arrived from Dol in Brittany with his three sons, William, Walter, and Simon. Walter moved north to Scotland and became scion of the first Royal Stewart house of Scotland. Simon followed and his son being blond was named Robert Buidhe which was eventually to become Boyd. The Stewarts granted their cousins, the Boyds, extensive lands in Scotland.

Boyde Spelling Variations

Boyde Spelling Variations

Since the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules, Breton surnames have many spelling variations. Latin and French, which were the official court languages, were also influential on the spelling of surnames. The spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules. Therefore, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England after the Norman Conquest, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. The name has been spelled Boyd, Boyde, Boid, Boyt, McElwee and others.

Boyde Early History

Boyde Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Boyde research. Another 285 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1263, 1306, 1460, 1467, 1549, 1550, 1580, 1646, 1661, 1692, 1704, and 1746 are included under the topic Early Boyde History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Boyde Early Notables (pre 1700)

Boyde Early Notables (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Boyde Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Boyde In Ireland

Boyde In Ireland

Some of the Boyde family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 161 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Boyde, or a variant listed above:

Boyde Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Boyde Historic Events

Boyde Historic Events

Mr. John Edward Boyde, British Engine Room Artificer 4th Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse and died during the sinking

Motto

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Burke, Sir Bernard. Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Peerage and Baronetage, The Privy Council, Knightage and Compainonage. London: Burke Publishing, 1921. Print.

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The Boyde Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Boyde Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.